San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-08-11


less, dead, in spite Of my efforts to move
them one little inch. l have tainted with the
frightful efforts have made Just to lift once
the feet that hal carried me miles in a day
with unwearied ease.
Bot even in that time Of rehollious muir
mWing, Of bitterost repining, there was some
consolation First, there was the house and
five acres Of land, my very own, free Of debt
or mortgage, and a small sum in the bank,
.he interest Of which lifted us above actual
want. Then had Ruth.
She was Just 20 when her mother died, and
others besides her father thought her face the
faireSt one for miles around. She hal tho
bluest eyes, like the little patches OF summer
sky. and hair that was the color Of corn silk,
and nestled In little baby curls all over her
bead-rcbellious hair that would not lie
straight under any coaxing, but kinked up
IN tangles that were full Of sunlight Her
skin was white as milk, with cheeks like
the heart Of blush rose, and her smile
showed the prettiest rows Of pearly teeth I
ever saw.
She coaxed me from my wicked repinings
by coming TO me for directions, making me
feel that my head was still needed 10 direct
work, though my feet would nevermore
carry me over tho doorsill. Then she fitted
up for me a large back room that over
looked most Of the farm, and had Slas, our
head man, lift me up every morning and put
me in deep cushioned chair by the window,
where | could see the barn, the poultry yard,
the well and the fields of waving corn and
wheat. She made me feel myself of import
ance by giving me thus the master eve over
my own little domain and she brought up
her own meals TO eat with me in the room
where my infrmity held me prisoner
You must understand what Ruth was to
me or you will never understand the simple
story have set myself to telling you She
taught me 90 use my right hand without the
left; and If you want TO appreciate the diff
fculty, tie your left arm down for one single
hour and try Bow often it will unconsciously
strain at the cords. She brought me books
from the village library and opened TO my
old eyes and brain field of pleasure never
before explored. / had read my Bible and
the newspaper all my life; but | never even
knew the names of books, now my greatest
treasures, till Ruth thought "reading would
be company" for me- Little Ruth, even she
does not know the world she peopled for me
in her loving care for my Loneliness.
When she was busy about her homework,
her baking, her washing and ironing, she left
all the doors standing open that might still
hear her CHEEKY voice as she sang or talked 70
me. Then, when all her work was done, she
would put clean white apron over her black
dress and sit close beside me, stitching busily
on the household linen, while | read aloud
whatever had most pleased me i'm my morn
ing studies
She devised little dainty dishes to tempt mo
to eat; she put saucers of flowers on my table,
that might cheat myself into fancying was
out doors, as their perfume crept out on the
air; she assured me, petted me, loved me, till
even my misfortunes seemed blessings draw
ing US near together.
And when she was all the world to me, all
that saved me from misery, John Hayes
asked me to give him Ruth for his wife |
could have struck him dead when hestood be
fore me, young giant in strength, with his
handsome sunburnt face glowing with
health, and wanted TO take away my one
blessing, my only home child
81 will be n true son to you, Mr. Martini"
he said, earnestly. II will never take Ruth
from here; but let me come and share her life
and lift some of the burdens from her
shoulders"
laughed bitterly. l knew well what such
sharing would be when Ruth had a husband,
uul perhaps Cullulell, W Jake her Jlllle ana j
her love from me- But was not harsh. /
did not turn this sutton from my house and
bid him never speak TO Ruth again, much as
lOnged to do it. | worked more cautiously.
| let him go from me to Ruth and when he
left her AMI she came TO me, all rosy bushes,
to tell me, with dropping lids and moist eyes,
of her new happiness, worked upon her love
and her sense of duty till she believed herself
t,f
leaving me or taking any divided duty upon
her hands.
wept, asking her if she could face her
lead mother after deserving her helpless
father. l pointed out to her the unceasing
round of wifely duty that would keep her
from my side, and proved to her that the
duties of child and wife m ust clash, II under.
clothing. In changing the poultices one must
be brought to the bedside before the other is
removed from the throat, so that the throat
may not be exposed for more than an in
slant.
In giving a warm bath, bath tub nearly
filed with water, at a temperature directed
by the doctor, should be placed at the side Of
the bed, the night dress removed and the little
patient, wrapped in a small blanket, gently
placed in it. Hot water must be added as the
water grows colder, as necessary, and when
the bath is over, the hot, wet blanket must be
unfolded and the child lifted out into a warm,
dry one and rubbed with warm towels.
II the feet only are to be bathed, the child
need not be taken out of bed. Place a small
tub of water on the bed with rubber sheet
or thickly folded blanket under it, draw the
childs knees up, and, moving the tub into a
convenient position, put the feet in it, the
child lying on its back.
When there is much restleSsness the poor
little sufferer can be held in the arms, if
warmly wrapped in flannel, and rocked and
soothed as much as possible. The strength
must be sustained by the strongest liquid
food beef juice, milk and white of eggs, the
whites Of three eggs in a pint of milk well
shaken together, or a raw egg beaten very
light with little sugar. The treatment pre-
scribed must be faithfully carried out, or it
will be unavailing.
Spasmodic Group is a much less dangerous
form, and is seldom fatal 1t is hereditary in
some families, and the victims are delicate,
nervous children. Those subject to it should
be guarded from exposure, and their diet
regulated to keep the digestive organs In a
healthy condition. When there is a croupy
cough they should not be allowed to go out Of
doors
In the beginning Of an attack an emetic
often gives relief Syrup of ipecac may be
used. A cloth wrung out with hot water,
sprinkled with turpentine and bound on the
throat is beneficial If there Is much smart
ing when the turpentine is removed cover the
place with soft linen rag thickly spread